Another year, another first round exit by the Nashville Predators in the NHL Western Conference Playoffs. In 2004, the Predators were just happy to be there as the Detroit Red Wings desposed of them in 6 hard-nosed games. That performance was supposed to yield more confidence for this young franchise heading into their second playoff appearance. After all, this team accumulated 106 points in the Central Division and clinched home-ice advantage in the first round by earning the fourth seed. However, this was not the case in Coach Barry Trotz's clubhouse. After winning an exciting opener 4-3 at the GEC in Game 1, the Preds went out and lost four straight contests to the San Jose Sharks, and quite frankly looked outmanned in Games 2, 3, and the first two periods of Game 4 at the Shark Tank.

It is hard to be too mad at the Predators, considering the following factors:

1. Superstar goalie Tomas Vokoun was out of the year due to a clotting condition in his pelvic area

2. The speedy Steve Sullivan was slowed by injuries.

3. Power Play triggerman Marek Zidlicky was sidelined until Game 4 with a bad shoulder.

These events caused Trotz to never get his lines set so that there could be cohesion in these units and forced backup Goalie Chris Mason into the fire against Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo, and company. Mason played well, sans the third period in Game 3 and the second period in Game 4, but the Predators offense and propensity to take cheap penalties let him down. Paul Kariya was the only Pred that could get much going towards the net and San Jose adjusted and paid considerable attention to him.

Owner Craig Leipold, GM David Poile, and Trotz have done a masterful job of building this franchise the right way, through the draft, in this new salary cap era in the NHL. They have so many quality prospects with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee that it is really an embarrassment of riches. What Poile may have to do for the Preds to take that next step is to get a top flight centerman (Olli Jokinen, Brad Richards, or Vincent LeCavalier) to control the center of the ice and allow the Kariya's and Sullivan's to do what they do best, buzz around and score the puck. This next step may hurt, as Nashville may have to part with some promising young prospects, but with Vokoun and Kariya in their primes, the Preds may not be able to wait on the Scottie Upshall's, Shea Weber's, Ryan Parent's, and Jordan Tootoo's of the world to make that next step.